Chubu Electric Power announced a business alliance with Microsoft Japan. The companies plan to use AI and automated robots to replace part of the electrical work, reducing labor requirements and improving operational efficiency. AI will also be used to reduce the risk of electric shock during work at height and support the development of agrivoltaic power generation.
Chubu Electric Power announced a business alliance with Microsoft Japan and will pursue an initiative to replace part of its electrical work with AI and automated robots. The company plans to automate the attachment and removal of electric shock prevention equipment by fiscal 2027 and handle wire cutting and connections by fiscal 2030, with addressing labor shortages in the power industry cited as one of the objectives.
Specifically, the company will use "physical AI," in which robots autonomously operate machinery mounted on aerial work platforms, to reduce the labor required for work involving the risk of electric shock. This is intended to improve safety at worksites and increase operational efficiency.
AI will also be used to support the development of agrivoltaic power generation. Data on the climate, power generation and harvest volumes at existing facilities will be used to train the system, enabling simulations for other sites and supporting consulting during development.
The companies will also work on developing energy-saving systems and improving the efficiency of administrative work. The alliance is expected to help address labor shortages as new power plants and other facilities are being built against a backdrop of growing demand for AI and favorable conditions for decarbonization.